title: Compression therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Compression therapy is the standard care for venous insufficiency ulcers. It reverses some of the underlying pathologies and restores a functional calf pump unit.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the pathophysiology of venous ulcers and the different types of compression devices available.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The choice of a compression device should be individualized and tailored to the need of the patient. It should be applied by skilled nurses or physicians.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compression therapy continues to constitute the standard therapy for venous insufficiency ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Choucair
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D001458:Bandages; D006801:Humans; D011312:Pressure; D014647:Varicose Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*